• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
About 1,000 individuals were displaced by the series of encounters between New People’s Army (NPA) rebels and Philippine Army soldiers on Feb. 21 and 22 in Barangay Pinapugasan, Escalante City, Negros Occidental.
Of the number, about 500 persons were those in the hinterland sitios of Barangay Pinapugasan.
In the adjacent Toboso town, Councilor Richard Jaojoco reported that 101 families, composed of 491 individuals, also fled their homes in sitios of Mainit, Mansulao, Mag-aso, Danao and Balod, all in Barangay San Isidro.
Soldiers and fleeing remnants of the dismantled Northern Negros Front engaged in eight skirmishes from Wednesday morning to Thursday night.
An air strike was launched Thursday night by the Philippine Air Force against a suspected rebel stronghold in Barangay Pinapugasan, using the newly-acquired AgustaWestland 109 attack helicopters, which lasted for 45 minutes, said Lt. Col. J-Jay Javines, 3rd Infantry Division spokesman.
Before the airstrike, Javines said a risk assessment was conducted to ensure that no residents or animals may be caught in the crossfire.
Jaojoco said he expects an increase in the number of evacuees as he received reports of more affected residents temporarily staying at a day care center in Barangay Magticol.
Classes have been suspended on Friday in all nine barangays, of which six are hinterland villages, as ordered by Mayor Madonnah Jaojoco.
In Escalante City, Mayor Melecio Yap Jr. also ordered the suspension of classes in all levels until further notice in the barangays of Pinapugasan, Libertad, Binaguiohan, Paitan, Dian-ay, Magsaysay, Malasibog and Tamlang.
The series of encounters claimed the lives of three suspected NPA rebels, and injured three soldiers and a government militiaman.
Soldiers recovered from the first encounter site an AK47 assault rifle, an M653 automatic rifle, a caliber .45 pistol, three rifle grenades, an anti- personnel mine, cellular phones and handheld radios.
Jaojoco said there is no clearance yet from the Philippine Army for affected residents to return to their respective homes as clearing operations are still ongoing. | GB
